Hometown Broadcasting News Friday 4/3/20
3 April 2020 News
Town Of Calumet Workshop Fire
A workshop on Artesia Beach Road in the Town of Calumet was significantly damaged by fire Thursday afternoon. Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Sergeant Will Logan says the fire at W3110 Artesia Beach Road was reported by the property owner Dale Freimark who was using a blow torch near the structure before the fire began. The workshop, which was detached from the residence, contained miscellaneous tools. The blaze is considered accidental. No injuries were reported. The time of the fire call was 3:23 p.m.
Unemployment Rates Prior To The Pandemic Were Decreasing
Prior to the pandemic unemployment rates in Wisconsin were dropping. According to Federal Labor statistics jobless rates in February had dropped in Winnebago County to 3.2 percent, in Fond du Lac County to 3.4 percent, in Dodge County to 3.8 percent, 3.9 percent in Waupaca County, 5.6 percent in Waushara County, and 5.9 percent in Green Lake County. In Marquette County they had increased a half percent to 6.4 percent. Rates in the cities of Oshkosh and Fond du Lac were at 3 percent and 3.4 percent respectively. In February unemployment rates had decreased or stayed the same in 55 of the state’s 72 counties.
Porch Performances In Ripon Today
A music teacher at Murray Park Elementary School in Ripon believes porch performances by music students in the school district is good practice for the students and will lift the spirits of the community during the pandemic. Christina Muenchow says the idea was shared by Trisha Walheim the Berlin Middle School Band Director and will come to fruition today at Noon on front porches in Ripon. Music students are still learning at home and it gives them something to work on during the week. To help coax the community along Muenchow and her son Jonathan filmed a video of her singing and he playing his ukulele performing “What a Wonderful World,” which they shared on Flipgrid.
Congressman Grothman On Families First Bill
Congressman Glenn Grothman says he questioned some of the aspects of the Families First Coronavirus Protection Act, which is why he voted against it. The bill went into law Wednesday and provides a number of things including paid sick or family leave related to COVID-19 allowing parents to stay home with children under the age of 18. Grothman feels some of his colleagues went overboard with parts of the bill. “Both parents can stay home for the same child, which I question a little bit. But it does expand family medical leave, which is a good thing, it’s a good thing it’s another way we are able to fight our way through this.” He also believes some people will use the new law to take time off unnecessarily.
Ripon Chamber Still Busy
The Ripon Area Chamber of Commerce offices are closed because they are considered a non-essential business, but staff continues working from home. Executive Director Jason Mansmith says they are keeping chamber members updated on important news about the new coronavirus from both health and business aspects. “Not only on the health side of things, but also on the small business side of things just keeping everybody up to date. There are so many moving parts right now and so many questions it can be a little bit overwhelming.” He says they also remain busy getting ready to make the transition and what it will bring when the pandemic is over.
Feyen Supports Waiver On Unemployment Insurance Waiting Period
State Senator Dan Feyen says he’s ready to act on state legislation designed to help out those impacted by the new coronavirus outbreak. The state lawmaker from Fond du Lac says he is particularly supportive of a provision that waves the one week waiting period for unemployment insurance. He says it will help state residents, who cannot afford a delay, to get the support they need. He feels using federal waivers, eliminating the waiting period will not have a negative impact on the Unemployment Insurance fund.
FDL County Community Programs Location Moved
Fond du Lac County has moved the location for its Department of Community Programs for those seeking mental health or substance abuse services. The Moraine Park location in Fond du Lac is not intended to be a walk-in clinic so those seeking help should call 920-929-3500 to request an intake. All current clients without an appointment are also being asked to call that same number to schedule a telephone appointment with their current provider to determine the clinical necessity for a face-to-face appointment. Appointments are being prioritized by the treating Clinician.
Oshkosh School District Expands Free Meals Program
The Oshkosh Area School District is expanding its Free Grab-and-Go Meal Program. Effective today the district will provide free meals for the weekend. Weekend meals will be distributed on Fridays, providing those in need with three-day’s worth of food. There will be no weekend meal distribution sites. Instead students, families, and community members must go to a district meal distribution site at a school or neighborhood on Friday to receive food for the weekend. A list of the distribution sites and other information is available on the district website.
MS Walk FDL Now Virtual
The Annual MS Walk in Fond du Lac on May 2nd will now take place as a virtual race out of concerns over the pandemic. The annual event involves those with and without MS who walk or some roll to raise awareness about MS, as well as funds for critical programs and services. This year, due to the outbreak of COVID-19 the walk has been moved to a virtual one. Participants can walk on a treadmill, outside or in circles registration can be done online. Questions can be directed to the Fundraising Support Team by calling 1-855-372-1331.
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